Meet our newest centenarian
It’s definitely not medicine that’s contributed to Erma Vander Linden’s long life.
The Windhaven resident, who turns 100 on Nov. 6, 2023, takes a baby aspirin daily and that’s it. Erma says sleep is her only medication.
The lifelong Iowan grew up in Oskaloosa and New Sharon on a family farm, where her dad had tractors and a thrashing machine. She recalls walking and exercising quite a bit in her younger years, beginning with the daily walk to and from school.
She enjoyed a 71-year marriage to her husband, Herman, who passed away in 2016, a few years after they moved to Willowwood to be closer to a son, who has now retired to Florida; their late daughter lived in Colorado for decades.
The couple wintered in Arizona for about 30 years and travel was a highlight of their lives. They went to Europe a few times, including visits to Sweden, Denmark, Norway and France, and traveled to Hawaii three times.
Happy 100th birthday, Erma!
